The Day I Shaved My Hair and Lost My Identity
As I lay in bed with my newborn daughter, surrounded by dirty laundry and breastmilk-stained muslin rags, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions watching Madonna's sultry dance routine on TV. The singer's confidence and sex appeal sparked both envy and resentment within me. In that moment, I realized I needed to redefine my priorities as a new mother.
With the help of a quick buzz cut, I sought to reclaim some time in my busy schedule and distance myself from the constant attention and scrutiny of being a young mother. I imagined that shedding my locks would not only save me 20 minutes each morning but also allow me to break free from the 'lovely lady' stereotype that came with having a baby.
However, the experience proved to be far more complex than I had anticipated. After getting a number-two buzz cut, I quickly discovered how much of an impact my appearance had on how others perceived me. While being femme-presenting had earned me help and approval, being 'grrrr' resulted in strangers ignoring or labeling me as stroppy.
The temporary dip into anonymity left me with a sobering realization – that our appearance plays a significant role in shaping our social interactions and experiences. In an effort to escape the constant scrutiny of my looks, I inadvertently stepped outside traditional feminine norms and faced harsher treatment as a result.
It took time for me to grow out my hair again, but this experience taught me a valuable lesson about the complexities of identity and appearance. The loss of visibility I experienced as a bald woman was not just about physical appearance, but also about social expectations and the privileges that come with conforming or deviating from them.
As I lay in bed with my newborn daughter, surrounded by dirty laundry and breastmilk-stained muslin rags, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions watching Madonna's sultry dance routine on TV. The singer's confidence and sex appeal sparked both envy and resentment within me. In that moment, I realized I needed to redefine my priorities as a new mother.
With the help of a quick buzz cut, I sought to reclaim some time in my busy schedule and distance myself from the constant attention and scrutiny of being a young mother. I imagined that shedding my locks would not only save me 20 minutes each morning but also allow me to break free from the 'lovely lady' stereotype that came with having a baby.
However, the experience proved to be far more complex than I had anticipated. After getting a number-two buzz cut, I quickly discovered how much of an impact my appearance had on how others perceived me. While being femme-presenting had earned me help and approval, being 'grrrr' resulted in strangers ignoring or labeling me as stroppy.
The temporary dip into anonymity left me with a sobering realization – that our appearance plays a significant role in shaping our social interactions and experiences. In an effort to escape the constant scrutiny of my looks, I inadvertently stepped outside traditional feminine norms and faced harsher treatment as a result.
It took time for me to grow out my hair again, but this experience taught me a valuable lesson about the complexities of identity and appearance. The loss of visibility I experienced as a bald woman was not just about physical appearance, but also about social expectations and the privileges that come with conforming or deviating from them.
omg did you see this article?! i feel like she's trying to be all deep and stuff about identity and appearances... but honestly, it just sounds like a girl trying to figure out who she is after having a kid 
. i mean, we get it, new moms have a lot on their plates, but do they really need to shave their heads to "reclaim" themselves? 
. and isn't that just the most basic lesson ever? 
i mean, I guess it's good to know we should be mindful of how our appearances might impact those around us, but can't we just, like, relax and not take ourselves so seriously for once? 
i feel ur pain tho bald & gorgeous tho 
. And can I just say, having a buzz cut as a woman is so underrated? It's like, we get to shed the expectations of being 'femme' or whatever, but then we gotta deal with people judging us for not conforming 
this is wild how much our hair can impact how others see us... like, i get it, appearances matter, but shouldn't we be judged on what's inside? 
meanwhile, we have real issues to discuss and nobody wants to touch that one 
... anywayz, she did grow her hair out again & realized that her identity isn't just about physical appearance, it's also about conforming 2 societal norms 
now i'm totes inspired 2 take care of my own look & not worry so much what others think 
it's definitely something to think about next time you're considering a major change like that 
on my new smartphone 
, people would always be like "oh you're just a photographer" 
. it's crazy how much our online presence can affect our IRL (in real life) interactions 
. btw, have u tried the new augmented reality camera lens on snapchat 
!
. im all for taking control of ur life as a new mom & redefining ur identity, but it's crazy how much emphasis is put on physical appearance. like, dont get me wrong, confidence is key, but theres more to us than just our looks 
and i love how she's now rocking her natural look & owning it 
On the other hand, it's also interesting to consider the idea of "stepping outside traditional feminine norms" and facing harsher treatment for it. It sounds like a real eye-opener for the author. I've definitely noticed how some guys react when they see someone with a shaved head - it's like, calm down, dude!